pan out
verb
panned out; panning out; pans out
: to happen, end, or develop in a particular way : turn out
I'm really enjoying how this is all panning out now and it is so exciting and intriguing to watch and find out what happens next …—
Gary Neville
Gary Neville
especially
: succeed
… the signs revealed that the experiment wasn't panning out … —Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan She [Dixie Hollins] noted that learning about arts and entertainment fills her creative side and works as a great plan B if her goal of working in the medical field doesn't pan out. —Karin Davis-Thompson
Karin Davis-Thompson 
Examples of pan out in a Sentence
the eagerly anticipated kayaking trip never panned out
the investment scheme didn't quite pan out
Recent Examples on the Web
Altman reportedly could receive 7 percent equity in the new arrangement—or the equivalent of $10.5 billion if the valuation pans out.
—Karen Hao, The Atlantic, 26 Sep. 2024
Unfortunately, things didn't pan out for the show, and the network went with The Suite Life of Zack & Cody instead.
—Marina Watts, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024
Decisions made in ambiguous situations won’t always pan out, but the ability to adjust and continue moving forward sets great leaders apart.
—Erik Logan, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2024
Instead of putting the grind as a nonnegotiable in your dream life, why not remove that overexertion from the equation and see how lovely your life can pan out?
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pan out 
Karen Hao, The Atlantic, 26 Sep. 2024
Unfortunately, things didn't pan out for the show, and the network went with The Suite Life of Zack & Cody instead.
—Marina Watts, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024
Decisions made in ambiguous situations won’t always pan out, but the ability to adjust and continue moving forward sets great leaders apart.
—Erik Logan, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2024
Instead of putting the grind as a nonnegotiable in your dream life, why not remove that overexertion from the equation and see how lovely your life can pan out?
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pan out
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pan out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pan out
Cite this Entry
“Pan out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pan%20out. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
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